So, why men won't lift weights?

There was a gazillion of threads about why women won't lift weights, but what totally blows my mind is why men won't lift weights. The impact is sooooo dramatic and wonderful in men, and like causes both fat loss & muscle gain, why the heck do I see all these men hunching on the treadmills next to the elfin cardio queens? Are men afraid to get bulky, lol?

They have limited time and are not there for health but for the "view".

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Most guys I've met train for looks. They train with weights, but to look good in the mirror, i.e. chest, arms, and abs. Also, many are afraid of weight gain. One guy I know is 5'11", 159lb, and doesn't want to gain any weight (though he claims he wants more muscle). Another started lifting with me at a weight of 129lb, and quit at 140lb because he thought he was getting too fat (yes, a grown man thought he was fat at a weight of 140lb, and no, he was not a midget).

Plus, real lifting like barbell squats are too hard for most guys. Doing curls in the mirror is much more soothing.

I hate going to the gym. I enjoy lifting barbells but the people at the gym I used to go to try to dominate the area and spend the whole time checking themselves out in the mirror. Never had a problem getting on the squat machine though but the bench press area was always a problem.

I bought myself some kettlebells and do most of it at home now and I just get on with it.

One day I will take the plunge and buy a squat rack but its not economically viable at this point.

But not even curl??! Hey, I understand the need to curl in front of the mirror. I just don't get not even touching weights. Like my husband won't lift (says his shoulder hurts, would rather go on a treadmill, WTF?). Just don't get it. Is it because it is too easy for men to get decent results? So no challenge? Men too proud to start with an empty bar and overload, decide it's too hard and quit?

But not even curl??! Hey, I understand the need to curl in front of the mirror. I just don't get not even touching weights. Like my husband won't lift (says his shoulder hurts, would rather go on a treadmill, WTF?). Just don't get it. Is it because it is too easy for men to get decent results? So no challenge? Men too proud to start with an empty bar and overload, decide it's too hard and quit?

It's not exactly as easy as you make it out to be for most of us.

And yes, men are embarrassed to go into the gym and have to be seen doing any exercises with fewer than 3 plates. That's a big reason most guys don't squat to depth. Because the weight they'd have to use would be embarrassingly low.

There was a gazillion of threads about why women won't lift weights, but what totally blows my mind is why men won't lift weights. The impact is sooooo dramatic and wonderful in men, and like causes both fat loss & muscle gain, why the heck do I see all these men hunching on the treadmills next to the elfin cardio queens? Are men afraid to get bulky, lol?

Besides the cardio... What about when a guy picks up the same weight as you and it's for a bench press! I've seen about 3 men in my gym do a barbell deadlift in the past 2 years.... Same with squats. Alsooo... What's the deal with men that are 6 foot tall walking 3-3.5 mph on the treadmill. I would have just stayed in bed an extra 30 minutes!